Ask Caryn – November 2009
Boots for Slim Legs
Hi Caryn,
I have desperately slim legs and a passion for boots! This is a difficult combination, as generally speaking when I try on knee high boots in high street stores, I look ridiculous! My friends with wider legs say I shouldn’t complain, but whilst there are many retailers who cater for wider calves, I struggle to find shops who cater for the skinnier leg. Please could you advise?
Kind regards,
Maria
Hello Maria
I’d recommend that you take a look at Duo Boots in our shopping mall – they cater for wide and slim calves and sell their boots in 21 different calf sizes to make sure that you get a perfect fit. You can shop online and they also have a store on Saville Row in London. Alternatively try the Fitted Boot store who also design boots by calf width.
Dressing for Weekend
Dear Caryn and Team
Now that the weather is starting to get colder and I have started to put away my summer clothes I have nothing to wear!!!
The trouble I have is dressing for the weekend or casual wear. I work in a corporate environment so I wear suits mainly and pretty blouses and I feel smart and comfortable.
The weekend is a different matter, I feel scruffy if I wear jeans but when I try to smarten them up I feel too old for me!! I am a 35 year old Mum with two beautiful daughters age 5 and 14. When shopping with my eldest daughter we pick up the same clothes and then I wonder if I really should be wearing them and don’t buy them.
I would like to build a capsule weekend/casual wardrobe that is sophisticated but also trendy. I am 5’6 size 10. Any advice on potential online shops would also be good as I live in the Channel Islands which has limited shopping outlets.
Thank you
Mandy xx
Hello Mandy
Well sometimes it’s more difficult when there isn’t a dress code, uniforms or requirements isn’t it? The best way to go about it is to have a selection of pieces that you can mix and match to your heart’s content to show off your true personal style.
Make sure these key pieces are versatile, refined but also comfortable. Layering pieces are fundamental – pieces that can be the basis for nearly any outfit (simple white t-shirt, vests, polonecks etc). Cosy knits are comfy must haves for down time. Most of the time they couldn’t be any easier to wear – slip on with your jeans and you are good to go. I’d also throw some long scarves into the mix and just simply wrap them around your neck and let them dangle.
Have a look in our shopping mall for an extensive range of online retailers but I would specifically take a peek at Boden, Debenhams and Next.
I hope this helps.
Advice for New Image
I’ve been reading your advice and I think it’s really on point. I would like to change my image completely. About three months ago, I calculated my BMI and found that I was around 30.1, which in anyone’s book is obese (and I’m only 24), so I decided I’ve got to do something about it. I’ve already lost 5kgs and according to my calculations I have about 15 kgs to lose to reach my goal weight (around 60 kgs). I want something to look foward to so I’m planning for the image change. I’ve always had large boobs, reasonable waist and large butt, and I don’t think the ratios are going to change much. Please advice me on how I should pick my clothes for all occasions, that is casual, official, office casual, evening dates. Do keep in mind that I’m still young so no dressing like a mother.
Thanks
Linda
Hello Linda
Congratulations on deciding to give your image and wardrobe an overhaul and setting yourself goals to get there. Style is a skill that evolves over time, a confidence that comes from process of trial and error but once you get there it you will enjoy the pleasure of dressing well. To start with I would recommend that you invest in our fuller and curvy e-book which will give you extensive guidance and knowledge on how to pick clothes for your shape and for particular occasions.
For some general advice you need to create a foundation of great basic pieces in your wardrobe upon which to build on.
Try starting with these – a good pair of jeans, a two piece suit, a white shirt, a selection of simple tops and t-shirts in a variety of colours, a fine knit or cashmere cardigan, a pencil or a-line skirt and a simple shift or jersey wrap dress. A good pair of ballet flats, black heels and knee high boots form a good basis for shoe options.
You can then start to develop your own style by experimenting on how to wear these basics together in different ways. It’s the little twists and touches that make the difference and accessories are a great way to do this. You can also buy some inexpensive trend pieces of the season to bring your basics up to date.
As you start to develop your style, you should also get a sense of what your body is really like. What colours do you love that make you feel great? What trouser/dress/skirt/jacket shape do you feel most comfortable in?
Gradually, you’ll understand what works for you and makes you feel comfortable and look great and the ebook will certainly put you on the right road to do so.
Petite & Top Heavy
Hi Caryn
The only place I found clothes that suited my shape was Principles and now that has closed down. I find it extremely !!! hard to find anything to wear and am desperate at this stage.
I am size 14 – 16 on top. Bra size 34GG.
Height 5ft 3in
Waist size 12
Hips size 8 – 10
Bad legs: big calves and tiny ankles and bad veins on my feet (sounds lovely!!)
Chubby upper arms and often get spots on my chest, so low cut is not always an option.
Nearly forgot to mention – big tummy and tiny bum.
When I go shopping I usually come home with nothing or else one or two things which have to be returned as they never seem the same at home as they did in the shop.
Occasionally I bought somethings in Wallis, but I cant see anything in their shop recently that I would wear. A lot of their tops are very patterned and just make me look bigger. My wardrobe at presents consists of black, black and more black. The ONLY thing in my wardrobe at present that I actually like is a pair of Seven Jeans that I bought a few years ago and actually don’t look too bad. They were the best INVESTMENT I ever made!! How many more washes I can get out of them I don’t know and God only knows what I’ll do then.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Any suggestions for good places to shop online?
Rita – a desperate 44 year old.
Hello Rita
Many of us need a variety of more specialist options to make up our style prescription especially as it is all about getting a perfect fit in garments that suit your body shape. There are some specialist retailers to offer the perfect fit and look you need. – Bravissimo for lingerie and clothes with more fullness in the bust, Duo boots for specialist calf measured boots, Petite Affair and of course Next for skirts and bottom halves – you’ll find many more petite specialists our shopping mall. But check out our fuller section too for brands that will give you fit around the bust.
Another worthwhile investment would be my Petite and Top Heavy e-book which will give you the best advice to suit your body shape. In it you will discover techniques for creating the illusion of height as well as much more like understanding how to balance out your top half.
Petite Top Heavy and Size 6 Bottom Half
Dear Caryn
I have looked through the petite recommendations on your website and find that most ranges start at size 8. I am 4ft 11” tall, and a size 6 in skirts and trousers. (about 10 in tops so that is not so bad). The design of clothes available in size 6 tends to assume that I am a teenager. At the age of 61 I am not sure how much longer I can get away with boyfriend cut jeans, and I don’t have the legs for mini skirts! Have you any hints for a lady who is effectively the size of an 11 year old?
Best wishes
Linda
Hello Linda,
I sympathise. Building a wardrobe may take you a bit more research but it is not impossible.
Take a look at Petite Affair and Karen Gillam collection in our shopping mall which do stock their range from a size 6 upwards and have some really chic and elegant pieces. Also there are quite a few high street brands who have petite ranges starting in a size 6 – Marks & Spencer and Dorothy Perkins do for example. Do also consider working with a dressmaker to get one or two classic items made to fit you perfectly to add to your wardrobe.
This is something I talk about in much more depth in my petite and top heavy and ageless style e-books to give you the best advice for your body shape.
Customising a Dress
Hello please can you help,
I have a black satin strapless dress that i would like to customize. The dress is ruched on the skirt part and the top is just plain but I wanted to add a vertical ruched strap so it goes across my shoulder.
I do not have a clue on how to do this or where i can go for help.
Please can you help?
Thank you
Hayley
Hello Hayley
I spoke to a very talented dressmaker friend and she gave me these instructions!
Cut a strap the length and width you need, with seam allowances all round. Then cut another piece 2 times the length, gather each side with long running stitches to the size of the original strip. Put right sides together and sew down long edges, then turn strap to right side. Depending on the fabric, a light press will keep the ruching in place. If not a few stitches here and there will keep it in place.
This is of course assuming that you have a sewing machine and it all else fails it might be worth visiting a seamstress yourself. I’m not sure where you are based but a good way to find a seamstress is to ask your local boutique or department store who they use. For example Harvey Nichols in Leeds use Sew Smart, Selfridges in Manchester use Stitches for basic alterations and Perfect Fit for more specialised work. A great service in London is London Fitting rooms whose seamstresses visit their clients by Scooter.
Here are the contact details:
Sew Smart
8b George Street
Leeds
Tel: 0113 243 8433
(This was set up by a former employee of Harvey Nichol’s in-house alterations team)
Stitches
16 St Mary’s Street
Manchester
Tel: 0121 634 3678
Perfect Fit
168 Stamford Street
Ashton-under-Lyne
Tel: 0161 330 7006
www.perfectfit-alterations.co.uk
London Fitting Rooms
18-20 Rosemont Road
London NW3
Tel: 020 7431 9993
www.londonfittingrooms.com
I hope this helps. Good luck!
